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TCAs FAQ

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What is the difference between TCAS I and TCAS II?

TCAS I is a cheaper but less capable system than the modern TCAS II system introduced for general aviation use after the FAA mandate for TCAS II in air transport aircraft.

What does TCAs stand for?

He’s currently enjoying life flying the Airbus A330 for a major international airline. TCAS (Traffic Collision and Avoidance System) is a surveillance system on modern aircraft that uses radio signals to detect and display other nearby aircraft, calculate possible threats and display avoidance guidance to pilots.

How does TCAs work?

The rule also applies to aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of more than 5,700 kg. Working independently from air traffic control, TCAS uses nearby aircraft's transponder signals to alert pilots to the danger of mid-air collisions. It does so by constructing a three-dimensional map of the airspace through which the aircraft is traveling.

What is a TCAS I system?

TCAS I systems are able to monitor the traffic situation around a plane (to a range of about 40 miles) and offer information on the approximate bearing and altitude of other aircraft. It can also generate collision warnings in the form of a "Traffic Advisory" (TA).

How many types of TCAs are there?

There are two classes of TCAS. TCAS I was developed to accommodate the general aviation community and regional airlines. This system identifies traffic in a 35–40 mile range of the aircraft and issues Traffic Advisories (TA) to assist pilots in visual acquisition of intruder aircraft. TCAS I is mandated on aircraft with 10 to 30 seats.

How does TCAS II work?

The TCAS computer alerts the pilot as to the presence of an intruder aircraft and displays the aircraft on a screen in the cockpit. Additionally, TCAS II equipped aircraft receive evasive maneuver commands from the computer that calculates trajectories of the aircraft to predict potential collisions or near misses before they become unavoidable